-
by pltm
(PLTM) - “From a cultural perspective, they see domestic violence as a private matter in the home, but it is a crime, it is against the law,” said Ms. Lorolie Connor, Coordinator at the Department of Gender Affairs, while explaining the need for the government supported Partnership for Peace programme.
The programme, that has been running for the last six years, caters to men of the British Virgin Islands who have been sanctioned by the court to seek assistance for offenses related to abuse on their spouses.
In an interview with BVI Platinum News, Ms. Connor explained that the men who are frequently sent to the programme seem to not be aware that their actions of domestic abuse are crimes which they can be punished for, but rather, they are of the view that it is a private dispute in their household that shouldn't concern the law.
“It’s not private, it is a crime. Taking your hand and raising it and hitting somebody, choking or slapping someone is a crime,” said Ms. Connor.
She noted that for this reason, the Partnership for Peace programme is a vital asset to the females of the Territory and the Territory itself.
Participants of this programme are subjected to 16 weeks of psycho educational sessions, that are designed to address the issue of violence from a male or a batterer’s perspective.
During the 16 weeks, the participants go through sessions that address anger management, parenthood, domestic violence, impacts of their actions and role playing.
“One of the most important sessions throughout the 16 weeks is one where we educate them on domestic violence and the law, so they can be more familiar with it.”
The men are further informed by lawyers, mostly prosecutors, on the law and are given a clearer perspective of what domestic violence is and how it is a crime.
Ms. Connor added, “The aim is to change the behavior of these men.”
She went on to inform BVI Platinum News that since the launch of the programme in 2010, a total of 110 men have successfully completed the course. She further noted that 4 persons have since reappeared before the court as reoffenders.
Notably, the programme, which just completed its 12th sixteen week course earlier this month, sees an intake of approximately 7-8 men every 3 months. The programme only accommodates 12 men per course.
“We don’t take more than 12 persons per cycle because we want that intimacy, we want the dynamics of the group to be comfortable enough to speak openly.”
-----
Copyright 2023 by Virgin Islands Platinum News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
